J. Cole: performing at London Music Hall. Photo: The Come Up Show/Wikimedia Commons

Our Hot Hitmakers partnership with Royalty Exchange recognises the top songwriters behind the biggest hits on last week’s Hot 100

For the final chart ranking of the year, J. Cole debuts at the very top on the strength of his Billboard No 1 new album 4 Your Eyez Only. As the sole songwriter credited for every track on the album, Cole’s position is well-entrenched amid the many others who share songwriting duties on the chart. Lin-Manuel Miranda returned to the chart after a brief bump from last week with two tracks from the animated film Moana.